20 FRUITS OF QUEENSLAND. 



does not imply a regular system of irrigation, but simply the conserving of 

 surplus moisture in times of plenty by -means of dams across small natural 

 watercourses or gullies, by tanks where such do not occur, or from wells where 

 an available supply of underground water may be obtained. The water so 

 conserved will only be needed occasionally, but it is an insurance against any 

 possible loss or damage that might accrue to the trees during a dry spell of 

 extra length. So far, little has been done in coastal districts in conserving 

 water for fruit-growing, the natural rainfall being considered by many to be 

 ample; but, in the writer's opinion, it will be found to be a good investment, 

 as it will be the means of securing regular crops instead of an occasional 

 partial failure, due to lack of sufficient moisture during a critical period of the 

 tree's growth. The average yearly rainfall in the eastern seaboard varies from 

 149 inches at Geraldton to 41 inches at Bowen, the mean average being about 

 90 inches to the north and 49 inches to the south of Townsville. Were this fall 

 evenly distributed throughout the year, it would be ample for all requirements. 

 Unfortunately, however, it is not evenly distributed, the heavy falls taking 

 place during the summer months, so that there is often a dry spell of greater 

 or less extent during the winter and spring, during which a judicious watering 

 has a very beneficial effect on fruit trees, and secures a good crop for the 

 coming season. The rainfall shows that there is no fear of a shortage of water 

 at any time, the only question is to conserve the surplus for use during a 

 prolonged dry spell. These conditions are extremely favourable for the growth 

 of all tropical and semi-tropical fruits, as during our period of greater heat, 

 when these fruits make their greatest call for moisture, there is an abundance 

 of rain, and during the other portions of the year, when the call is not so 

 heavy, it is usually an inexpensive matter to conserve or obtain a sufficient 

 supply to keep the trees in the best of order. Throughout the southern half of 

 this seaboard frosts are not unknown on low-lying ground, but are extremely 

 rare on the actual coast, or at an elevation of 300 to 400 feet above the 

 sea, so much so that no precautions are necessary to prevent damage from 

 frost. We have, unlike Florida and other parts of the United States of 

 America great fruit-growing districts no killing frosts, and now, at the close 

 of one of the coldest winters on record, and one of the driest, nowhere have 

 our pineapples fruit nor plants been injured, except on low-lying ground, 

 even in the Southern part of the State, and mangoes, bananas, &c., are 

 uninjured. 



In the more tropical North frosts are unknown on the coast, and there is 

 no danger to even the most delicate plants from cold. 



Running parallel with the coast we have a series of ranges of low moun- 

 tains, running from 2,000 feet to nearly 6,000 feet, the general height being 

 from 2,000 to 3,000 feet, and at the back of these ranges more or less level 

 tablelands, sloping generally to the west. On and adjacent to these ranges in 

 the Southern part of the State, there are fairly sharp frosts in winter, but the 

 days are warm and bright. This is the district best adapted for the growth 

 of deciduous fruits and vines, table varieties doing particularly well. It is a 

 district well adapted for -mixed farming and dairying, as well as fruit-growing ; 



